Day Trips from Melbourne — Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley & Beyond
Melbourne is the best base in Victoria for day trips — the choice is the Great Ocean Road's Twelve Apostles, Yarra Valley wine country, Phillip Island penguins, or the Grampians ranges.
Available
7 options
Avg. rating
4.9 - 5,988 reviews
From
$141 AUD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Day Trips from Melbourne: what to know before booking
Melbourne is the best base in Victoria for day trips — the choice is the Great Ocean Road's Twelve Apostles, Yarra Valley wine country, Phillip Island penguins, or the Grampians ranges.
- Availability
- 7 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $141 AUD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.9 stars across 5,988 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Departures from central Melbourne pickup points (confirmed at booking)
- Best time
- Spring and autumn for mild weather; book ahead for summer and weekends
- Ticket note
- Date-specific; meeting times are strict, arrive 15 minutes early
Day Trips from Melbourne in Melbourne
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Everything you should know before you book
Victoria packs its biggest sights into a day's drive of Melbourne. The Great Ocean Road delivers the Twelve Apostles sea stacks and a coastline of rainforest and surf beaches; the Yarra Valley is wine and produce country an hour east; Phillip Island ends the day with the penguin parade; and the Grampians offer sandstone ranges and Aboriginal rock art. Most are full-day trips with a coach or small-group van and a guide.
Book the Great Ocean Road early and consider the reverse route. The standard tour reaches the Twelve Apostles mid-afternoon with every other coach; the reverse itinerary hits the apostles first, in better light and smaller crowds. For wildlife, Phillip Island's penguin parade is fixed to sunset, so departure times shift through the year — check the time before you book.
Frequently asked questions
Which Melbourne day trip is the best?
The Great Ocean Road is the classic for first-timers — the Twelve Apostles and coastal scenery. Choose Yarra Valley for wine, Phillip Island for penguins, or the Grampians for ranges and walks.
What is the 'reverse' Great Ocean Road tour?
It runs the route in the opposite direction, reaching the Twelve Apostles earlier in better light and with fewer coaches around. It's the smarter pick if photos and crowds matter to you.
How long are the day trips?
Most are full-day, roughly 10–13 hours including travel. Great Ocean Road and Grampians are the longest; Yarra Valley and Peninsula Hot Springs are shorter.